Angers SCO are reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa defender Frederic Guilbert, but only on the condition that Steven Gerrard releases the fullback on a free transfer.
According to L’Equipe, the Ligue 1 side are keen to sign a right-back before tomorrow’s deadline, with Guilbert a top target for Angers heading into the final 48 hours of the transfer window, yet Le SCO will only sign the Villa defender if he is allowed to leave for free.
Guilbert has been linked with a move away from Villa Park all summer with the French defender yet to play a single minute of football this season under Gerrard, and with time running out to offload the 27-year-old, the English manager might not have a choice but to release the right-back as a free agent.
We have seen this week already clubs release players they deem too difficult to sell for a transfer fee, with Chelsea letting Ross Barkley go with reports suggesting that Arsenal could soon do something similar for Hector Bellerin, with Villa now seemingly forced into a familiar position with Guilbert.
With Premier League interest drying up for the Frenchman and Angers seemingly keen to sign Guilbert on a permanent deal, releasing the defender early might be a smart decision from Villa as it would both lower the wage bill and offload a player many fans believe should not be at the club anymore.
Indeed, Guilbert himself might also be open to returning to France, and with Angers looking to make a splash again in Ligue 1, the defender could play a key role for Les Scoistes should Villa agree to terminate the fullback’s contract one year before it expires.
Guilbert signing for Angers for free is perfect solution for Villa
Time is running out for Villa to find a solution for Guilbert, and with Angers keen on signing the defender for free, this route seems to be the best way to get the defender off the Villains’ books with just two days of the transfer window left to go.
Whilst losing out financially on Guilbert is a blow for Villa, there was always a chance that releasing the Frenchman was going to be the best way to get rid of the former Caen star, and a free move to Angers could be the best outcome for all parties involved.
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